Hillman 20 8-cylinder

The Hillman Straight Eight and its successor the Hillman Vortic were moderate priced mid-sized 20 tax-horsepower executive cars made by Hillman from 1929 to 1930. The lowest priced eight-cylinder car on the market the car was scarcely in full production when sales were hit by the onset of the Great Depression.

Hillman Straight-Eight
Overview
ManufacturerHillman Motor Car Co Ltd
Model years1929, 1930
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car
Body style
  • open tourer
  • saloon
  • Weymann fabric saloon
  • Segrave fabric coupé
  • Segrave fabric sports saloon
LayoutFR
Powertrain
Engine
  • 2,620 cc (159.9 cu in)
  • straight-8
Transmissionsingle plate dry clutch, 4-speed gearbox, Hardy Spicer propellor shaft with metal universal joints is mated with a half-floating spiral bevel driven back axle
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 120.5 in (3,061 mm)
  • track 56 in (1,422 mm)
Length175 in (4,445 mm)
Width68.25 in (1,734 mm)
Kerb weight
  • fabric saloon 24 cwt, 2,688 lb (1,219 kg)
  • Vortic all-steel saloon 32½ cwt, 3,640 lb (1,650 kg)
Chronology
Predecessornone
SuccessorHillman Vortic 8
Hillman Vortic 8
Overview
ManufacturerHillman Motor Car Co Ltd
Production1931
Layout
Configurationstraight 8-cylinder
Displacement2,620 cc (159.9 cu in)
Cylinder bore63 mm (2.48 in)
Piston stroke105 mm (4.13 in)
Cylinder block materialcast iron, aluminium alloy die cast pistons, 5-bearing crankshaft with a vibration damper at the front
Cylinder head materialcast iron
Valvetrainoverhead valves with double springs operated by pushrods; timing by chain; inlet manifold square section with 4 branches; 5-branch exhaust manifold with a double outlet
Combustion
Fuel systemcarburettor fed from vacuum tank on dash, main reservoir 12 gallons at back of car
Fuel typepetrol
Oil systemforced. pump is outside sump and pressure may be adjusted
Cooling systemwater, impeller combined with fan, true honeycomb radiator (protected by a shell), thermostatically-controlled shutters
Output
Power output
  • 58 bhp (43 kW; 59 PS) @2,0 rpm
  • Tax horsepower 19.69
Chronology
PredecessorHillman Straight Eight
SuccessorHillman Wizard 75

This pair of cars has been described as "the complete lemon". The straight eight engine was subject to bearing failure. The name was changed to Vortic and some modifications made including a silent third gear but it was to try to sell off unwanted stock. They were still offered in 1932.

The straight eight was replaced in Hillman's catalogue in April 1931 by their six-cylinder Wizard 65 and 75.

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